Google’s open approach to managing apps allows developers to do some incredible things. Without going through any complicated setup, you can completely change how your device works. A prime example of this freedom is the new app Floating Notifications. This app refits Android’s standard notification scheme with new functionality and a ton of options.

Usually, when an email or Hangout message arrives, it goes into the notification shade. This is a great system, but a tinkerer can always appreciate added features. Floating Notifications basically reads notifications, and reproduces them in floating bubbles on top of whatever you’re doing. It’s reminiscent of Facebook’s Chat Heads. But in this case, they work for any app.

Notifications stack as small round icons, but you can alter the look. Apps with updates through Floating Notifications stack up and can be moved around the screen to stay out of your way. Tapping on the stack fans it out so you can check the notifications without leaving the app you are in. Tapping on an individual notification launches the app. A double-tap removes the notification.

Installing this app is pretty straightforward. Upon first launching Floating Notifications, you will be directed to enable it as an Accessibility Service. Floating Notifications gives you a link, and you just have to check a box—it’s painless. This will produce a scary warning, but this toggle only allows Floating Notifications to perform its main function of reading notifications directly from the shade.

In the app’s setting panel, you can see a full list of installed apps. Just go through and choose which apps you would like Floating Notifications to track. This is really the only way the app could work. Getting popups for each and every notification would be irritating beyond measure. This way, you can customize the experience.

Each app can have independent settings. For example, one app might wake up the screen when it gets a notification. Another might reproduce the native shortcut buttons from the shade area. You can also pin an app icon so it is always accessible even if there isn’t a notification. You can put together any mix of these setting you like—whatever works best for your style.

This app was beta tested on XDA Forums, where it earned many fans. Now it’s in Google Play and will be regularly updated there. The free version has a 30-day trial, which requires a $2 in-app purchase afterwards. There is also an unlock app for $2 that skips the trial. This is an awesome app that will appeal to power users in particular.

About the Author

Ryan Whitwam is a freelance tech/science writer and fan of all things electronic. This long-time skeptic and former research scientist is a lover of the em dash and a defender of the Oxford comma. He also writes for Geek.com and ExtremeTech.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RyanWhitwam
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